The Refurbishement of former Remand Home “E. Gianturco” in Avigliano (Potenza, Italy), upgrading its seismic resistance and transforming it in a nZEB Elderly People and Social House

The Remand Home "E. Gianturco" in Avigliano (Potenza, Italy) was built between 1904 and 1935, expanding the existing ancient Reformed Franciscan Friars’ Monastery, found-ed in 1615. It is a great building, designed to house 400 prisoners, whose central body, on four levels, is organized according to the "cubicular" prototype modeled on the Auburn jail (New York, 1825). The 1980 earthquake damaged the bearing structures and led to the gradual abandonment of the building, until the final closure between 1985 and 1997. At present, the building is owned by the Borough and is abandoned. Given its position close to the ancient part of the city, a study was carried out on the possibility of re-use it as a Social Housing and RSA (Sanitary Housing for Elder People), very important activities for the social revitalization of the city. By eliminating the cubicles, the double spaces they face have been closed, new main inside walls have been introduced, and some arches have been closed. When the seismic vulnerability has been verified after the planned modifications, the building is now substantially reinforced. A completely new layout was drawn up, in accordance with the original configuration, introducing the necessary new vertical connections and services. A thick non-combustible thermal insulation from the outside, new high-performance fixtures, a Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) sys-tem with heat recovery and dehumidification and a new high efficiency generator have been provided. Vertical axis wind turbines, arranged at a suitable distance and inserted in the new design of the large square in front of the building and on the rear front, provide energy renewable and available on site for 60% of what the building needs for its opera-tion. The building becomes a nZEB, with EPgl, nren = 55.722 kWh/m2 year. The colors and finishes provided are the original ones, rediscovered by surveys carried out on site.